Arcata High School alum Christopher McConkey will be spending this summer in Washington, D.C., with North Coast Congressman Mike Thompson.

McConkey, a political science major at Amherst College, was one of two students selected by Thompson’s Capitol Hill office for a summer internship that will focus on helping Thompson serve the First Congressional District while gaining in-depth experience in the workings of Congress.

”This internship is a valuable opportunity for me to examine my ideas on political philosophy in the context of how my government works,” McConkey said in a press release from Thompson’s office. “I am thrilled to be here.”

While in Thompson’s office, McConkey’s duties will include researching proposed legislation, helping to manage constituent correspondence, leading tours of the Capitol Building and attending committee hearings and legislative briefings.

For his part, Thompson is happy to have McConkey aboard.

”He is an impressive young man and I hope this experience will help guide him toward future work in public service,” Thompson said in the release.